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Graduation Speech

11th form ladies show off their amazing graduation dresses.

Emma and I attended our second graduation ceremony here last week, and I gave my second graduation speech. I wrote the thing in English (as simple English as possible), translated it myself, and then got help from my Russian tutor to correct the mistakes. Then I practiced it for a week. My Russian’s improved over the year, but it still took a lot of repetitions to get to the point where I wouldn’t stumble over the tough words.

Here’s the text side-by-side. You can also watch the video below!

There’s an ancient Chinese curse: “May you live in interesting times!” Well, with the economic crisis, quarantines, “real” winter, and presidential elections – it seems right now that Ukraine is going through some interesting times. Ukraine is a very young democracy ¬– about as young as our graduates. Things are changing, and this can cause many new problems. But changes also bring new ideas, challenges, and opportunities. I am an optimist, and I believe that Ukraine is setting out to becoming a strong and prosperous country. As the first generation to have seen only the new independent Ukraine, you were certainly born into “interesting” times and you have a great opportunity to affect your country’s future. Far from being a curse, I think this is a great time to be a Ukrainian.

Graduates, your parents, teachers, and administrators have done their best to prepare you for life in the new Ukraine. Now, some of you will go to work, some to higher education, some will maybe go straight to the cafe – I don’t know. Whatever you choose to do next, the knowledge, skills, and experiences you received in school will give you confidence in the years ahead. Don’t forget to thank the people who worked so hard to get you this far.

So, graduating class of 2010, in all your endevours I wish for you to be happy, healthy, and successful. May you indeed be living in interesting times – the good kind. Congratulations and all the best in these times.